THE VALUE OF A REAL ESTATE AGENT
THE VALUE OF A REAL ESTATE AGENT
By Adrivel Ruiz of Sovereign Associates Inc.
When two of my clients told me earlier this month that I saved them 3 hours and 1.5 hours of commute, respectively, I felt so happy and satisfied. Those are some of the most meaningful moments a broker can have.
Unfortunately, many agents might never hear such compliments, and there are multiple reasons. Many people might have a different perception of the Real Estate profession because of the outside appearance of an agent's work. A client might only see that a broker shows them a housing unit, and if they like it, they will be well compensated for apparently little effort. What most of the public doesn't see, and many agents fail to communicate, is what they do. The truth is that this is a customer service-oriented profession.
After qualifying the client, the agent must spend time understanding their needs, must-haves, and current situation. It's an excellent opportunity to learn about the client's expectations and to let them know how they will be addressed. Clear communication around expectations is crucial since the experience of a move will be affected by a lack of accurate information. For example, if a building has restrictions regarding moving in & out, it must be communicated during the first showing. A client must allocate time to move during the given timeframe.
This discussion can easily translate into a quick review of the additional available inventory that might be an excellent match for the client vs. the unit they initially contacted the agent about. The whole purpose of an agent is to facilitate the process of buying, selling, or renting a listing.
Their professional assistance will aid in answering any potential city RE questions and peculiarities, help the client over the necessary hurdles of paperwork & take any pain out of the experience. It would guide the client through the entire process, even negotiate on their behalf. An Agent not only opens the "listings" door, but if a potential listing is expected to touch the market soon, an agent can share those opportunities. Sometimes, an agent might even deliver the keys to the client. Clear communication, inside information and insights about the neighborhood, and additional points about the residences being shown make a good agent invaluable. There's more to this profession than meets the eye. When looking for an agent, check for those green flags mentioned above.
Remember, Sovereign Associates Inc. specializes in Upper Manhattan. Our main office is in West Harlem /Morningside Heights, at 3135 Broadway, and our secondary office is in Hudson Heights. Please drop by; we'll be delighted to assist you!
